In the early morning hours of Charleston, on April 12th 1861, a single shot changed the course of American History forever and the “War Between the States” began.
A Charleston resident on the morning of April 12th 1861 writes, “The firing of the mortar woke the echoes from every nook and corner of the harbor, and in this the dead hour of the night, before dawn, the shot was a sound of alarm that brought every soldier in the harbor to his feet, and every man, woman and child in the city of Charleston from their beds. A thrill went through the whole city. It was felt that the Rubicon was passed. No one thought of going home; unused as their ears were to the appalling sound, or the vivid flashes from the batteries, they stood for hours fascinated with horror.”
The Civil War era (1860-65) was a truly defining moment in American History. Many of the war’s significant events took place in the South Carolina Lowcountry.
Significant Civil War Events Taking Place in Charleston:
South Carolina’s secession from the Union on December 20, 1860
April 12, 1861 bombardment of Fort Sumter
1863 to 1865 Siege of Charleston, which included the 54th Massachusetts assault on Battery Wagner
H. L. Hunley submarine sinking of the Housatonic on February 17, 1864
Re-raising of the US flag over Fort Sumter on April 14, 1865
Charleston will be a national focal point regarding the remembrance of this momentous occasion in our nation’s history. In our next issue (April - June), we'll be featuring all of the events of and happenings relating to the Sesquicentennial (150 year anniversary) in the city. The Sesquicentennial events are not a celebration but a commemoration to honor the 620,000 American soldiers, sailors and mariners who lost their lives during the conflict.
For a complete listing of events and happenings in the Charleston and also the State, please visit our website and the following sources:
www.sccivilwar.org
Civil War Sites of Significance
There are many sites and locations around the city that played a significant role in the Civil War or that display memorabilia. Below are a few that we recommend.
Fort Sumter
Located in the middle of the Charleston harbor. Their visitor education center & museum is located beside the Aquarium, or from Patriots Point in Mt. Pleasant, where tours leave for the fort 7 days a week.
Fort Moultrie
1214 Middle St, Sullivans Island. One of the key spots that guarded the harbor and played a key role in the Revolutionary War.
H.L. Hunley Submarine
1250 Supply St, N. Charleston - 843.744.2185 - tickets required: etix.com. On Feb. 17, 1864, this Confederate hand-cranked submarine slipped into harbor toward Union ships blockading the port and sank the USS Housatonic - the first successful submarine attack in history. After signaling toward shore, the Hunley disappeared, not to be seen again for more than 130 years. Discovered in 1995, it was raised carefully amid much ceremony and celebration in 2000. Today, the famous sub is undergoing painstaking conservation. Many artifacts and remains of the eight-man crew have been removed. All three crew members are buried in Magnolia Cemetery (see listing below).
Confederate Museum
188 Meeting St at Market Hall, Charleston - (843) 723-1541. Some incredible items are displayed that relate to the Civil War.
Charleston Museum
360 Meeting St - Features exhibits covering a wide variety of Charleston history including an excellent Civil War section.
Magnolia Cemetery
70 Cunningham Ave, Charleston 8am-5pm daily - The location of more than 2,200 Civil War Veterans, 14 signers of the Ordinance of Secession, 84 Gettysburg Soldiers and the crew of the Hunley. Pick up a map at the office there.
There are many events that relate to the Civil War that will be taking place this spring in Charleston as well.
A Charleston resident on the morning of April 12th 1861 writes, “The firing of the mortar woke the echoes from every nook and corner of the harbor, and in this the dead hour of the night, before dawn, the shot was a sound of alarm that brought every soldier in the harbor to his feet, and every man, woman and child in the city of Charleston from their beds. A thrill went through the whole city. It was felt that the Rubicon was passed. No one thought of going home; unused as their ears were to the appalling sound, or the vivid flashes from the batteries, they stood for hours fascinated with horror.”
The Civil War era (1860-65) was a truly defining moment in American History. Many of the war’s significant events took place in the South Carolina Lowcountry.
Significant Civil War Events Taking Place in Charleston:
South Carolina’s secession from the Union on December 20, 1860
April 12, 1861 bombardment of Fort Sumter
1863 to 1865 Siege of Charleston, which included the 54th Massachusetts assault on Battery Wagner
H. L. Hunley submarine sinking of the Housatonic on February 17, 1864
Re-raising of the US flag over Fort Sumter on April 14, 1865
Charleston will be a national focal point regarding the remembrance of this momentous occasion in our nation’s history. In our next issue (April - June), we'll be featuring all of the events of and happenings relating to the Sesquicentennial (150 year anniversary) in the city. The Sesquicentennial events are not a celebration but a commemoration to honor the 620,000 American soldiers, sailors and mariners who lost their lives during the conflict.
For a complete listing of events and happenings in the Charleston and also the State, please visit our website and the following sources:
www.sccivilwar.org
Civil War Sites of Significance
There are many sites and locations around the city that played a significant role in the Civil War or that display memorabilia. Below are a few that we recommend.
Fort Sumter
Located in the middle of the Charleston harbor. Their visitor education center & museum is located beside the Aquarium, or from Patriots Point in Mt. Pleasant, where tours leave for the fort 7 days a week.
Fort Moultrie
1214 Middle St, Sullivans Island. One of the key spots that guarded the harbor and played a key role in the Revolutionary War.
H.L. Hunley Submarine
1250 Supply St, N. Charleston - 843.744.2185 - tickets required: etix.com. On Feb. 17, 1864, this Confederate hand-cranked submarine slipped into harbor toward Union ships blockading the port and sank the USS Housatonic - the first successful submarine attack in history. After signaling toward shore, the Hunley disappeared, not to be seen again for more than 130 years. Discovered in 1995, it was raised carefully amid much ceremony and celebration in 2000. Today, the famous sub is undergoing painstaking conservation. Many artifacts and remains of the eight-man crew have been removed. All three crew members are buried in Magnolia Cemetery (see listing below).
Confederate Museum
188 Meeting St at Market Hall, Charleston - (843) 723-1541. Some incredible items are displayed that relate to the Civil War.
Charleston Museum
360 Meeting St - Features exhibits covering a wide variety of Charleston history including an excellent Civil War section.
Magnolia Cemetery
70 Cunningham Ave, Charleston 8am-5pm daily - The location of more than 2,200 Civil War Veterans, 14 signers of the Ordinance of Secession, 84 Gettysburg Soldiers and the crew of the Hunley. Pick up a map at the office there.
There are many events that relate to the Civil War that will be taking place this spring in Charleston as well.
Remembering The Civil War 150 Years Later
The Sesquicentennial of April 12th 1861
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